Blessed are the Merciful

I see the blessings or “beatitudes” as the essence of the rest of the sermon on the mount. The second three blessings are for when we have come into the light, when God expects us to pursue good.

The second of these is for those whose relationships are turning to good.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are those who are willing to reach out and forgive others, who aren't looking for justice, who love people beyond their behavior. Jesus said it often: if we want mercy and forgiveness, we will show mercy and forgiveness. 

Blessed was Paul, when Ananias had mercy on him and restored his sight. Ananias had misgivings about Paul because he had Christians killed - but he obeyed God anyway, went to him and healed him.

Blessed was Peter when after denying Jesus at the cross, Jesus shows him mercy, accepts him back and says "Follow me." This was the first thing Jesus said to Peter when he initially called him.

Blessed were David and Bathsheba when God was merciful to them and gave them another son, Solomon, after their first one died. 

Blessed was Jonah when God sent him to declare his mercy towards Nineveh. 

Blessed was Israel in the wilderness, when even though they abandoned God and worshiped a golden idol, God did not destroy them. He had mercy on them and kept them in the wilderness for 40 years to learn how to be his people.

Blessed was Job, when he challenged God. God did not punish him further, but was merciful and instructed him, explaining who He was.

Blessed was Noah when God promised to never wipe out all living things again. God established the rainbow as a sign of his mercy.

Blessed were Adam and Eve when God was merciful and said they could not eat from the Tree of Life and live forever disconnected from Him. He gave them a way back.

Blessed was creation on the fifth day when God filled it with the first living things - birds and fish. These were the first things that could feel effects of his kindness and mercy.

Blessed was Jesus, spending a lot of time early in his ministry healing people, being kind and merciful to them.

Finally, blessed am I when I'm merciful to others. When I pray for people, when I reach out to them in friendship, when I forgive them if they have done something wrong to me. I hope - with God's help - to always forgive, to never hold grudges or anything against anyone. I hope to see peoples needs and be kind, merciful and giving.

Blessed as all of us when we are merciful and forgive. If none of us ever did this, we would be a world of isolated, disconnected people with no friendships or love.